Growing Asparagus Pea, also Winged bean

(Lotus tetragonobolus)

Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 68°F.
(Show °C/cm)

Space plants: 8 - 10 inches apart

Harvest in 8-11 weeks. Pick early, pick often.

Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in separate bed

Pod and flower

This low spreading plant has small trifoliate leaves, and deep crimson flowers are borne in pairs. Harvest pods when approximately 2.5cm (1") long. ( about 80 days)
Asparagus pea is easy to cultivate. It needs average moisture, full sun, and ordinary soil.
It needs a long growing season to flower and fruit properly, so start it indoors in cooler areas.

Only the pods are edible for Lotus tetragonobolus.
The other asparagus pea is the tropical plant Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, also known as Goa bean.

Support with twigs to keep the stems off the ground. Protect from slugs and snails.
Pick pods when small as they become hard and dry if left too long.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Asparagus Pea

Cook quickly by steaming and serve with just a touch of butter and they are said to taste like their namesake .

Winged beans are perennial and will regrow in the spring. To harvest the seed you need to wait until the pods are full ripe which will be late in the season. As they can be very strong growers some people pinch the tip out after about the 12th leaf. This will cause the plant to send out side shoots.

I have my first winged peas growing in my garden....seem to grow quite slowly so far ...but weather warming up now so expect them to grow faster.
Mine are still at ground level....lots of photos I have seen online show them climbing.....so assume the will send up growth from middle and start to climb.
I just read where it said to pick at 1

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department.
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